Securing a reservation at one of New York City’s popular restaurants has become an increasingly difficult endeavor. Over the past three years, the challenge of obtaining a seat at the city’s most coveted dining spots has escalated, leaving many aspiring diners feeling frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even seasoned restaurateurs admit they have no tips to offer on how to secure a reservation.
The competitive landscape for dinner reservations led New York state legislators to vote last month to prohibit third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, which allowed users to sell restaurant reservation slots for upwards of $200, a practice reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at reducing reservation competition and protecting restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite this legislative progress, the overwhelming demand for trendy dining experiences continues to exceed availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the trend, saying, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a luxury concierge and travel planning service, India specializes in catering to ultra-wealthy clients. Her clients have included notable figures such as George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. She points out that access to exclusive restaurants hinges on understanding customer preferences and cultivating relationships with the establishments.
According to India, there has been a shift away from traditional fine dining. “We very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” she explained. Instead, the current trend leans toward stylish dining experiences that emphasize social status and exclusivity rather than just food.
For those determined to secure a reservation and gain a taste of exclusivity, Sienna Charles offers insights into which New York restaurant tables are the hardest to book.